By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Comrade Paul Ituma Eze, has commenced construction of a diagnostic centre and blood bank to curb preventable maternal deaths, promising free medical tests and blood transfusions for indigent pregnant women.
The facility, located at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Ngbo Maternity, Ngbo Court Area, is expected to be completed and commissioned within 50 days.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ituma, a trained medical laboratory scientist, said the initiative was informed by experiences involving pregnant women who reportedly died because they could not afford basic medical tests, medications and blood transfusions.
He said the facility would provide free laboratory investigations and blood transfusion services to pregnant women unable to pay for them.
“No woman in Ohaukwu should lose her life simply because she lacks money for medical tests or blood,” he said.
The chairman explained that the centre would feature a modern medical laboratory, ultrasound and scanning facilities, as well as a standard blood bank for blood storage and transfusion services.
He added that the council would collaborate with young medical scientists from the area to facilitate blood donation and extend health education programmes to remote communities to promote maternal health awareness.
Ituma said the project aligned with the People’s Charter of Needs agenda of Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, particularly the commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
Stakeholders at the ceremony, including Pastor Eze Nwachukwu, Chinedu Ogba Onah, Sunday Elechi Inyima, Dan Okabe, Ikechukwu Odono, Blessing Adagba and Engr. Charles Okeh, commended the initiative and pledged their support.
The chairman also disclosed that his administration was taking measures to curb quack medical practice following reports of patients suffering serious complications from procedures allegedly performed by unqualified practitioners.
He cited two cases involving a woman who reportedly suffered damage to a major blood vessel after surgery and a young man who allegedly lost one of his testicles following a hernia operation in Ukwuagba Autonomous Community.
Ituma said a suspect in one of the cases had been apprehended, adding that the council would work with relevant authorities to prevent unqualified persons from practising medicine.
On education, he said a committee established to inspect schools had discovered that several private schools lacked the necessary authorisation to operate, resulting in the closure of some establishments.
He said the council would strengthen school supervision and monitoring during external examinations to tackle examination malpractice and improve educational standards.
The chairman also disclosed that a proposed bye-law to address illicit drug-related activities and billboard regulation had passed second reading at the Ohaukwu Legislative Council.
On security, Ituma said his administration was working with traditional rulers, town union presidents and security agencies to protect lives and property.
He explained that stakeholders had agreed that organisers must obtain council authorisation before holding public gatherings to prevent activities capable of triggering violence.
The chairman said the measures were not intended to prevent political parties from holding legitimate gatherings but to maintain public order.
He also defended the dissolution of the former town union leadership in Umuaghara, alleging that an unauthorised programme had been held at a school while academic activities were ongoing.
Ituma dismissed allegations of widespread insecurity in the area and recalled an alleged kidnapping attempt shortly before he assumed office, which he said was foiled through collaboration between his office and local community leaders.
He urged political actors to conduct their activities peacefully, warning that unsubstantiated claims of insecurity could damage the area’s reputation and undermine business activities.
The chairman said his administration would continue to prioritise healthcare, education and security, stressing that collaboration between the state and local governments was essential to delivering democratic dividends to residents.
